The Back Nine Clarksville
The Back Nine Clarksville is an indoor golf and performance facility focused on expanding accessibility to the sport of golf in Tennessee.
Internship Description
The Back Nine Clarksville is seeking 1 intern to support day-to-day operations, marketing, and community engagement initiatives. The intern will assist with social media content creation, event and league coordination, customer engagement, and operational tasks such as scheduling support, data tracking, and facility organization. They will also contribute to special projects related to marketing campaigns, local partnerships, and performance analytics tied to simulator usage and member engagement.
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Career Readiness Skills: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork
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Preferred Major: Sports Management or Sports Administration, Marketing or Digital Marketing, Business Administration or Management, Communications or Media Studies, Entrepreneurship, or Kinesiology/Exercise Science. Students from other related fields with a strong interest in sports, marketing, or small business operations are also encouraged to apply.
Required Skills & Qualifications
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Interest in sports, golf, marketing, or small business operations
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Comfortable interacting with customers and representing the brand professionally
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Basic organizational and time management skills
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Familiarity with social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
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Ability to work independently and as part of a small team
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Basic computer proficiency (Google Workspace, spreadsheets, scheduling tools)
Workplace Culture
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Workplace Culture: The Back Nine offers a collaborative, supportive, and community-focused environment that values professionalism, initiative, and continuous learning. The team emphasizes accountability, teamwork, and creating a positive experience for members and guests — all within a fun, sports-driven atmosphere.
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Benefits of Internship: Hands-on exposure to small business operations, sports marketing, and customer experience management, along with mentorship from ownership and staff. Additional benefits may include flexible scheduling, networking opportunities with local business partners, and complimentary or discounted facility access when appropriate.
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Professional Development: Practical skill development in communication, event execution, digital marketing, and data-driven decision-making — with real responsibilities, consistent feedback, and transferable skills applicable to careers in sports, business, marketing, or entrepreneurship.
The internship takes place on-site at a climate-controlled indoor golf facility. Physical requirements are moderate and may include standing or walking for extended periods, light lifting, and assisting with event setup and breakdown.
Mentor Information
Cliff Van Rickley, President
Email: clarksville@thebackninegolf.com
Cliff is the owner and president of The Back Nine Clarksville. A U.S. Special Forces veteran and MBA graduate of the University of North Carolina, he has spent his post-military career working with three high-growth technology companies before bringing his entrepreneurial vision to Clarksville. While he is new to formal internship supervision, Cliff has an extensive track record of building and developing high-performing teams across both military and civilian environments — and brings that same leadership approach to mentoring the next generation of business and sports management professionals.